Rev. Dr. Steve Blinder, Senior Minister

Steve is the senior pastor. He works passionately for justice and is one of the Anti-Racism/Pro-reconciliation trainers for our Regional Church. He believes that being more loving, life-giving, and liberating is what it means to live in the Way of Jesus.

He will tell you that being a father and grandfather are his most important life! Steve is an MDiv alum of Phillips Theological Seminary and has graduate degrees in human resource management, curriculum, and leadership from Florda Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University. 

He has published reading curriculum, co-authored bully prevention programs, and time management materials. Dr. Blinder has presented national workshops on faith-based bias and trauma. He is the 2021 recipient of the Peggy and Richard Ziegler Award for Excellence in Christian Education and the Kathleen Cooper Wright Award for transformational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. 

Dr. Blinder serves on the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance Council, is an active member of the community, and serves the Florida Region as personnel chair. He believes that when we are authentically ourselves, we become able to love God and people in a way that transforms us to be agents of wholeness in our fragmented world. 

Rick has been Brandon Christian Church's music director since March of 2013, where he conducts the choir, leads the praise band, and composes music for special occasions.

Rick has been active in music ministry throughout the Tampa Bay area with various churches since moving to the area from Oklahoma City in 1999.

Rick holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and has worked professionally in the music industry since the mid 1980's. He continues to freelance through his business, Barclasion Music, where he supplies music for TV, film, and other various clients.

Coming soon!